Budget & Taxes

passed · Louisiana · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 311: FUNDS/FUNDING: Increases the dedication of a certain portion of insurance premium assessments into the Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Operating Dedicated Fund Account (EG +$726,897 SG RV See Note)

HB 311 increases the percentage of insurance premium assessments paid by insurers in Louisiana into the Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Operating Dedicated Fund Account. Specifically, it raises the annual deposit rate from 0.03% to 0.035% of direct gross premiums (minus returns) for fiscal years 2029-2030 and beyond, with a temporary 0.03% rate for 2027-2028 and 2028-2029. The funds directly support the day-to-day operations of municipal fire and police civil service systems across Louisiana. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and requires legislative annual appropriations for fund usage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases funding allocation for municipal fire/police operations by raising insurance assessment rate from 0.03% to 0.035% for dedicated fund.90% confidence

Track

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 466: TAX/TAX REBATES: Authorizes rebates of ad valorem taxes in West Feliciana Parish under certain conditions

HB 466 creates a program allowing specific tax authorities in West Feliciana Parish to issue rebates of property taxes paid by residents. Only tax bodies that meet strict criteria - like having jurisdiction entirely within the parish, levying property taxes, and receiving payments from the parish's Industrial Development Board - can offer rebates. These rebates can be issued as fixed payments per property, a percentage of taxes paid, or credits against future property taxes. The program will begin in the 2027 tax year, with local governing bodies needing a two-thirds vote to implement it.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes property tax rebates for residents, providing direct tax relief which alignates with support indicators for middle/lower income tax relief.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 776: PORTS/HARBORS/TERMINALS: Modifies the Port Construction and Development Priority Program (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX)

HB 776 updates Louisiana's Port Construction and Development Priority Program. It requires port authorities to provide local matching funds (10% for standard projects, 20% for large, 30% for very large) before state funds from the Transportation Trust Fund can be used. The bill also modifies how the department contracts with entities like LSU's Ports Institute for project evaluation and mandates quarterly public hearings for project prioritization. Projects not funded in one year retain their priority and carry forward to the next fiscal year, with the legislature prohibited from adding new projects to the approved list.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires local matching funds (10-30%) before state funds from Transportation Trust Fund are used, promoting fiscal responsibility in port project funding.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires local matching funds before state transportation funds are released, ensuring continued investment in port infrastructure through Transportation Trust Fund95% confidence

Sub-Topics Ports

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 670: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Provides relative to wood pellet manufacturing (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX See Note)

HB 670 designates wood pellet manufacturing as a priority industry in Louisiana, targeting manufacturers that produce compressed biomass pellets from forestry residues for export or domestic use. The bill requires Louisiana Economic Development to create job incentives, workforce training programs, and prioritize wood pellet cargo at state ports while streamlining permitting for facilities. It directly affects wood pellet manufacturers, rural communities seeking new jobs, and the state's forestry sector by aiming to boost economic growth through international biomass exports. The law establishes clear regulatory pathways to support this industry without compromising environmental safeguards, as outlined in sections §955.1 and §955.2 of the bill.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates job incentives and workforce training programs, constituting fiscal support via tax incentives or state funding for economic development, aligning with budget/tax support indicators.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyDesignates wood pellet manufacturing (biomass renewable energy) as priority industry, mandates job incentives and streamlined permits for renewable energy infrastructure development.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentWorkforce training programs directly support employment development in targeted manufacturing sector, aligning with employment standards focus.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Workforce Development Tags Economic Development

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 12, 2026

HB 383: APPROPRIATIONS/ANCILLARY: Provides for the ancillary expenses of state government

HB 383 establishes and manages special "ancillary funds" (like internal service or enterprise funds) for Louisiana state agencies to cover operational costs of services they provide to other state departments, such as IT support or employee benefits. It appropriates $2.17 billion for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, primarily funded by fees and self-generated revenues (e.g., $2.17B for the Office of Group Benefits covering state employee health insurance). Agencies must return unspent funds by August 14, 2027, if not renewed, and larger agencies must implement internal audit oversight. This bill directly affects state agencies managing internal services, not the public, by standardizing how they finance and account for these operational costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $2.17B for essential operational funds (e.g., employee benefits) via self-generated revenues, promoting fiscal responsibility through unspent fund return requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Audits & Accountability State Budget

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 181: MEDICAID: Provides for Medicaid fraud detection and prevention (EN SEE FISC NOTE SG EX See Note)

HB 181 authorizes the Louisiana Department of Revenue to share state income tax return data with the legislative auditor exclusively to improve Medicaid program integrity. It specifically permits this data sharing to verify Medicaid eligibility accuracy, detect fraud, and comply with existing Medicaid fraud laws. The bill restricts the use of this data to these three purposes only and requires formal agreements between agencies for data sharing. This affects Medicaid program participants and administrators by enabling targeted fraud prevention through cross-agency data access.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesUses tax data to prevent Medicaid fraud, promoting fiscal responsibility and protecting public funds from waste, aligning with budget integrity.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens Medicaid program integrity by enabling fraud detection and prevention, protecting program funds and ensuring proper healthcare access for beneficiaries.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Medicaid

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 633: TAX RETURN: Modifies statutory timelines, penalty calculations, and exceptions for penalties for the payment of certain estimated taxes (EN DECREASE GF RV See Note)

HB 633 modifies Louisiana's estimated income tax rules for individuals and corporations, primarily affecting taxpayers who make quarterly estimated payments. It introduces a new safe harbor to avoid penalties: if taxpayers pay at least 80% of their annualized tax (based on income earned in the first 3-11 months of the year), they won’t face penalties for underpayment. The bill also adjusts timelines for penalty calculations, extends deadlines for applying to adjust overpayments, and repeals an outdated penalty exception. These changes apply to tax years beginning January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax relief via penalty safe harbor (80% estimated payment avoids penalties), reducing taxpayer burden under Louisiana's tax rules.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Revenue

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 8, 2026

HB 549: WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: Creates the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF RV See Note)

HB 549 creates the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program to provide grants to eligible Louisiana employers for workforce training. The program uses a state fund to award up to $2,000 per qualified employee for training lasting no more than six months that results in industry-recognized, transferable credentials. Funds cover classroom and on-the-job training costs but cannot be used for equipment, licensing, or basic skills training. Employers must be physically located in Louisiana, comply with state tax laws, and partner with approved training providers like community colleges or apprenticeship centers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for workforce training grants, advancing fiscal management through targeted spending on employer training programs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds employer training for industry credentials, advancing worker skills and employment opportunities through state grants.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 324: JUDGES: Provides relative to judicial salaries (EN +$6,690,757 GF EX See Note)

HB 324 sets specific salary increases for Louisiana judges starting July 1, 2026, directly affecting justices of the Supreme Court, appellate and district court judges, and city/parish court judges. It provides immediate raises of $12,129 for Supreme Court justices, $11,431 for appellate judges, and $10,723 for district judges, with city/parish court increases matching district court percentages. Future increases of 2.7% in 2027 and 2.1% in 2028 are contingent on annual approval by the Louisiana Supreme Court and Judicial Budgetary Control Board, pending sufficient funding. The 2026 adjustments are funded by judiciary reserves, while future increases may be suspended if funding is insufficient.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds judicial salary increases through state budget appropriations, directly increasing government spending on public sector compensation.95% confidence

signed · Louisiana · House May 21, 2026

HB 521: TAX/AD VALOREM TAX: (Constitutional Amendment) Authorizes a taxing authority to levy a millage at a rate lower than the maximum authorized rate under certain circumstances (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF RV See Note)

HB 521 proposes a constitutional amendment to Louisiana's property tax system, allowing local taxing authorities (like parishes or municipalities) to adjust property tax rates to the maximum authorized rate from a prior reassessment without requiring new voter approval. The key mechanism permits these authorities to increase rates to the previous year's maximum level using a two-thirds vote of the governing body, after holding a public hearing with proper notice. This change would take effect January 1, 2027, and applies to all property tax collections starting that date. The bill does not change current tax rates but modifies the process for adjusting them, requiring transparency through public hearings while removing the need for separate voter referendums for these adjustments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables local taxing authorities to adjust property tax rates to prior maximum without voter approval, facilitating flexible budget management for local governments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax